UK electricity carbon intensity now
Energy Mix explains UK electricity carbon intensity alongside the live generation mix, demand, renewable share, regional carbon-intensity forecasts and imports/exports.
What is the carbon intensity of UK electricity right now?
Energy Mix shows the latest available GB electricity carbon-intensity estimate in context with live generation by fuel type. Lower-carbon sources such as wind, solar, hydro and nuclear generally reduce carbon intensity; fossil generation tends to increase it.
What carbon intensity means
Electricity carbon intensity estimates the grams of carbon dioxide equivalent emitted per kilowatt-hour of electricity consumed or generated, depending on methodology. It is commonly written as gCO2e/kWh.
Why generation mix affects carbon
A system with more wind, solar, hydro and nuclear is usually lower carbon than one relying more heavily on gas or coal. Demand, imports and exports can also affect the live number.
Regional carbon intensity
Regional and postcode carbon-intensity estimates can differ from the GB headline number. The main Energy Mix carbon-intensity page links live regional data to the national grid context.
Source caveat
Carbon intensity is an estimate based on official methodology and available data. For exact methodology, users should consult the Carbon Intensity API and Energy Mix data page.
Data sources and methodology
Energy Mix is an explanatory dashboard built on authoritative open electricity datasets, including Elexon BMRS/FUELINST, NESO sources, the Carbon Intensity API and interconnector context data where applicable. Read the methodology at /data.